Unpaid carers to be among first load of people offered Covid vaccine

[DumplingsAndStew]

www.gov.scot/publications/covid-vaccine-delivery-statement-health-secretary/

I won't lie, I'm nervous, but as it stands I'm falling on the side of accepting the vaccine. As well as being an unpaid carer, I suffer from conditions including ME, and worry about the possibility of long-Covid. I already live with what seems a very similar condition, and worry that I wouldn't be able to survive if I were to contract long-covid in top, as well as obviously worrying about the care responsibilities I already have.

Anyone else fall into this first offer bracket? What are you thinking?

I know this makes me sound absolutely stupid lol but I get carers allowance for my son who is autistic but in mainstream school. Am I classed as an unpaid carer? If so I will be getting it ASAP x

How go they know? We care for my elderly MiL who has had a stroke. She has 4 hours a week paid for personal care (a shower every other day) but we do the rest. Is that one cater? 2? Our adult children help a bit. Do they count?

The website above says:
"In the first wave of our plan – from December through to February, we will vaccinate frontline health and social care staff, older residents in care homes, care home staff, all those aged 80 and over, unpaid carers and personal assistants, and those who will be delivering the vaccination programme."

@hilbil21
I am also an unpaid carer with ASD child in mainstream education (in receipt of Carer's Allowance, so I assume a letter will be sent advising on how we access the vaccination.

I'm a carer for disabled DH and the idea that I can be vaccinated before him is quite odd. My father was in the shielding list but he will have to wait? I understand without the carers there is no care, but at the same time both DH and my dad have a greater need for this vaccine.

I assume unpaid carer would be defined by those in receipt of, or eligible for, Carers Allowance. They'll probably run off the list they have for those who receive the Carers Supplement.

I agree it does seem strange getting the vaccine before Clinically Vulnerable people, but I guess the train of thought is that if the person you care for gets ill, you care for them; whereas if an unpaid carer gets ill, they need to provide care for the person you care for and potentially you too.

If the carer is running errands they would seem less likely to catch a virus which they pass on to the extremely vulnerable person back home, if the carer is vaccinated..

I do understand, I would just rather not take w vaccine before DH. I know everyone's circumstances are different but the idea of vaccinating me when we have children in school and at work who can also bring it in to the home is quite bizarre. Vaccinate him.

@hilbil21

I know this makes me sound absolutely stupid lol but I get carers allowance for my son who is autistic but in mainstream school. Am I classed as an unpaid carer? If so I will be getting it ASAP x

I have been wondering the same, I get a flu vaccine presumably for this reason although I am not sure, all of a sudden after he got the DLA I got an invite for a flu jab, and no one seems to know why!!

Sorry I don’t get carers allowance. My son gets middle rate care and lower rate mobility DLA

@MadameBlobby

Sorry I don’t get carers allowance. My son gets middle rate care and lower rate mobility DLA

You qualify for carers Allowance because your son gets middle rate DLA. You only get if your income is below a certain threshold

I didn't get invited for a flu vaccine 💉

I would assume they just mean people caring for elderly and clinically vulnerable people but who not employed as a care worker, rather than any unpaid carer?

Unpaid Carer typically covers those who are in receipt of Carers Allowance.

in our area you have to tell your Gp you are a carer.